100 Series Wheel Allignment
Submitted: Monday, Dec 05, 2005 at 18:39
ThreadID:
28630
Views:
3376
Replies:
9
FollowUps:
7
This Thread has been Archived
Big Bird
I have a TDiesel 100 series which has pulled to the left, almost since new, on any
sign of slope in the road from the centre to the side. Alignment specialists have succeeded in scrubbing out tyres on the left front, or providing temporary relief. The latest suggestion is to build up the left side to counteract the built in set up of the vehicle from when it leaves Japan, ie is not set up for right hand drive/left side of road. Any experience with this problem and solutions would be appreciated.
Reply By: Member - Paul T- Monday, Dec 05, 2005 at 19:13
Monday, Dec 05, 2005 at 19:13
Big Bird
I had the same problem. Had it realigned on two occasions with no luck.
I then took it to a 'Truck'
suspension specialist who said it hadn't been realigned for australian road cambers etc.
He realigned and no problems since then. I don't know if this your problem but worth checking out anyway.
I am in
Newcastle so the
suspension specialist is probably a little too distant for you.
If you have contacts in the motor trade, especially the trucking arm ask who they use .
Hope this helps.
Cheers
Paul T
AnswerID:
142499
Reply By: Member - Willie , Epping .Syd. - Monday, Dec 05, 2005 at 19:23
Monday, Dec 05, 2005 at 19:23
Big Bird ,
I had a pull to the left on my 100 TD and it finally drove me crazy in Kalgoorlie and I took it in for a wheel alignment . They checked it out but said it was perfect . Then the owner said he had one trick left and swapped the two front
wheels over . Result was a perfect "no pull" steering . He said it often happens in the big 4WD tyres .
Cheers ,
Willie .
AnswerID:
142501
Follow Up By: Wizard1 - Tuesday, Dec 06, 2005 at 10:09
Tuesday, Dec 06, 2005 at 10:09
I also had the left pull thing on my Prado after fitting Cooper AT. But despite having numerous wheel alignments and the tyres rotated it still persists.
The only thing I can think effects the geometery of the vehicle is the extra weight of the sub
tank which is on the left. Apparently they don't have them in Japan. I assume the setup does not account for the weigth difference for Australian vehicles. I'm not sure whether this applies to the 100 series.
I don't subscribe to the right hand drive, left side of raod theory as the Japanese drive on the same side of the road as we do!
FollowupID:
396094
Follow Up By: Wizard1 - Tuesday, Dec 06, 2005 at 10:10
Tuesday, Dec 06, 2005 at 10:10
I also had the left pull thing on my Prado after fitting Cooper AT. But despite having numerous wheel alignments and the tyres rotated it still persists.
The only thing I can think effects the geometery of the vehicle is the extra weight of the sub
tank which is on the left. Apparently they don't have them in Japan. I assume the setup does not account for the weigth difference for Australian vehicles. I'm not sure whether this applies to the 100 series.
I don't subscribe to the right hand drive, left side of road theory as the Japanese drive on the same side of the road as we do!
FollowupID:
396095
Reply By: Tuff60 - Monday, Dec 05, 2005 at 19:32
Monday, Dec 05, 2005 at 19:32
Big Bird, you don't say if it is a live axle of IFS model. Let us know, and if you got an alignment print out, post some specs, so we can understand better.
You said "built in set up of the vehicle from when it leaves Japan, ie is not set up for right hand drive/left side of road"
Unless they have changed in the last year or so. They drive on the left in Japan, just like in Aust, so I don't think that will be your problem.
AnswerID:
142503
Reply By: Jeepster-WA - Monday, Dec 05, 2005 at 21:21
Monday, Dec 05, 2005 at 21:21
I got the same problem with my 2000 Grand Cherokee and I have had the same response in that it is an inherent problem from the factory when converted to RHD, I told the salesman that they are built as RHD in factory. He then had no answer as usual.
Will be putting cooper ATR's on in January when I return from OS and hopefully can find a truck alighnment specialist
Cheers
Jeepster
AnswerID:
142520
Reply By: Chugga - Monday, Dec 05, 2005 at 23:56
Monday, Dec 05, 2005 at 23:56
Guys. Japanese vehicles are not manufactured to drive on the RH side of the road and then adapted. My boss who is an engineer and was on the ADR design panel for the Australian government until his retirement, has been to Japan several times to meet with the car manufacturers there. He said that the factories (certainly Toyota) have 2 entirely seperate production lines - one for LHD and another for RHD. And that my friends is straight from a man who received personal tours of the various plants. .
AnswerID:
142546
Reply By: Member - Raymond - Tuesday, Dec 06, 2005 at 10:07
Tuesday, Dec 06, 2005 at 10:07
Hi Big Bird
The problem apparently is the amount of camber on our roads that causes the problem.
Just had the motorhome aligned at Bigwheels Truck Alignment in
Laverton and the vehicles now travels
well on the road, cost $149 bu
well worth it
Ray
AnswerID:
142574
Follow Up By: Wizard1 - Tuesday, Dec 06, 2005 at 10:12
Tuesday, Dec 06, 2005 at 10:12
Obviously your motor home is basically a truck, but what do the truck aligners do differently to a normal tyre
shop wheel alignment?
I'm looking at ending my left pull problem as
well.
FollowupID:
396096
Reply By: Member - Raymond - Tuesday, Dec 06, 2005 at 10:37
Tuesday, Dec 06, 2005 at 10:37
Hi Wizard 1
I am not sure why they do a better job as their equipment is larger and design for trucks which much as we might not like it that is what a 4WD is. I gave up on the aligners that usually only do cars, ended up get the Bronco (Ah the memories of scrubbed tyres before the truck aligner), the 80 series, and the Nissan all ended up at the truck aligners and the problems went away.
The first thing they did with the motor home was to check the chassis alignment and then check the wheel alignment, adjusted the front torsion bars to suit the weight over the front axle and then aligned the front end. They said that often with imported vehicles they have to add a camber kit.
Regards Ray
AnswerID:
142580
Reply By: Wisey (NSW) - Tuesday, Dec 06, 2005 at 15:46
Tuesday, Dec 06, 2005 at 15:46
bigbird
Don't no where your at but I've tried Pro-axle and had no probs'. Truck,bus, trailer & 4wd specialists. I know there in
Sydney and I think in Melb.
cya
AnswerID:
142630
Reply By: Big Bird - Tuesday, Dec 06, 2005 at 18:42
Tuesday, Dec 06, 2005 at 18:42
Thanks for the quick responses. I have booked into Hogan Axle Correction in Sunshine (Vic) who tell me I have a "light truck" and they know how to fix it. I'll keep you posted on the results.
AnswerID:
142651
Follow Up By: Member - Andrew L (VIC) - Wednesday, Dec 07, 2005 at 18:15
Wednesday, Dec 07, 2005 at 18:15
Please do keep us updated.Am interested for my cruiser too.
Cheers
FollowupID:
396350
Follow Up By: Big Bird - Thursday, Dec 08, 2005 at 14:36
Thursday, Dec 08, 2005 at 14:36
Fixed - for the moment. Apparently a combination of things being:
1 lack of tyre rotation iver last
FollowupID:
396469
Follow Up By: Big Bird - Thursday, Dec 08, 2005 at 14:47
Thursday, Dec 08, 2005 at 14:47
Sorry, second attempt at the response. The pull to the left has gone. Cause was a combination of alignment, lack of tyre rotation (probably 15000 kms since last).
Will be doing a short trip soon and will see if it returns.
Interesting list of probable causes provided by various
suspension and tyre specialists included;
1. Set up in Japan for left hand drive, which was proven by previous responses to be wrong;
2. To compensate for the above Toyo fit a slightly larger Dunlop tyre to the left front for delivery in Australia, and you can't buy these tyres only Toyo can!!!!;
3. Camber adjustment required to compensate for steeper slope on Oz roads.
Anybody in Vic who would like a no nonsense approach should give Alan Hogan a call at Hogan's Axle Correction 3 Ovens Court, Sunshine 9311 2344 and see how you go.
Thanks for your input.
FollowupID:
396472
Follow Up By: Tom57 - Thursday, Dec 08, 2005 at 21:46
Thursday, Dec 08, 2005 at 21:46
Hi Big Bird
I was reading your responses to the "pull-to-the -left" issue in LC100's. I too have just purchased a TD 100 and have had the local wheel alignment guy attempt to fix it - without any success!!! My vehicle has only done 1000K and the pull is really annoying.
Have you done your "short trip" to check it and has the problem gone????
Live in
Hamilton and I am willing to try your suggestion in Sunshine if it solves the probelm - or maybe Alan can talk to the guys here.
Cheers
FollowupID:
396539